Art Conservation 101

Art conservation is the preservation of artwork. Curators of art museums try to appropriate works of art they feel will encourage greater patronage. In some cases, these art museum curators require the services of highly experienced, professional art conservators. Generally, this occurs when artwork has been found to be of considerable value in estate sales and through art dealers who do not want to repair damaged artwork.

 

The Unique Skills and Talents of Art Conservation

In addition to repairing damaged works of art, the skills and talents of professional art conservators requires them to visit art museums to ensure great works of art remain in top condition in an uncompromising environment.

 

To show the depth of importance of art conservators, these professionals all adhere to “Guidelines and Standards of Practice” as set forth by the professional organization, AIC (American Institute for the Conservation of Artistic and Historic Works).

 

Thus, an art conservator is experienced in proper pest and climate control, museum facility security and a broad knowledge of original artists’ use of color and design. These professionals must be able to detect an “overpaint” of a famous work of art and recover the original painting hidden beneath the overpainted artwork.

 

Tools of the Art Conservation Trade

In order to properly conserve artwork for preservation purposes, proper tools are needed by conservators. These include small implements like erasers, spatulas, tweezers, bone folders and cotton swabs. These tools help the conservator preserve works of art with such details as to appear untouched by other than the original artist. They also require a handheld black light to uncover “overpaints.”

 

Why is Art Conservation Important?

To understand the underlying factors of art conservation, it is important to study art value. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, for example, generates a large patronage as a result of changing art exhibitions regularly to attract public interest.

 

An art conservator is required to store and lock away valuable pieces of art at this museum to make room for these displayed exhibits. The job of the art conservator is to properly transport works like 18th Century pastels, DaVinci, Matisse or Monet paintings, works of art from privately owned collections or those that are specially commissioned.

Conserving works of art is of primary importance in order to create the durability of artwork and also to preserve a continuance of the love of art for future generations.

 

Artificial Intelligence and Art

Etienne Kiss-Borlase AI and Art

The world of technology is advancing each day. As artificial intelligence becomes more of a reality, there are many industries that are likely to be affected by the machine. While the finance and healthcare fields begin to prepare, there is one industry that many never considered to be impacted by AI. Art is something that lingered on the human brain and comes from the most creative minds of our times.

Many experts in AI feel as though the connection between art and machine will be a true testament to a collaborative environment. Although creativity is something that many people feel as though they don’t have, AI could help spark a fire within. Often, people don’t have the ability to express their thoughts on a piece of paper. The hope is that artificial intelligence will have the algorithm that works best for the artist and help them to discover new ideas.

Artificial intelligence is already becoming a part of the art world. Through the use of romance novels, algorithms have trained the AI in the art of poetry. Certain robots have also shown their artistic abilities in the Robot Art Competition. Some of the pieces were so intricate, they look as though completed by a human. Many artists and AI experts have mixed emotions about the emergence of the machine in the art industry. Of course, the fear comes from the idea of technology replacing people. On the contrary, human-made items will end up becoming an item of the utmost value. Hand crafted items will become a luxury compared to the ones that a machine is pumping out.

Along with the concerns of authenticity comes the question regarding authorship. Jon McCormack used AI in creating one of his art series of digital plants. McCormack considers himself the artist although the machine is who created the pieces of work. As AI continues to develop, the artist will be able to truly test their capacity. Right now the machines can only complete what they have been trained to do. The non-human aspect of art created by AI is something many believe will hinder the collaboration.

One day, AI could in a way, bring art and artists back to life. New Beatles songs could come about by using samples of the members who have passed. Van Gogh’s style could be memorized by the machine and his creativity then live on. It comes down to the authenticity and emotion we feel from the art that currently exists. Unless the art that AI produces can trigger raw emotion, humans will continue to be the inferior artists.

Rockefeller’s Art Collection to be Auctioned

Many people hope to live a long and happy life. David Rockefeller accomplished just that. At the age of 101, the financial mogul passed away but was sure to leave his mark on society. Earlier this month it was announced that many of Rockefeller’s personal items are being put up for sale including his NYC penthouse. The most noteworthy piece of Rockefeller’s estate going for auction is his art collection. A collection that was obtained over six decades is now heading to Christie’s auction house for what is likely to be the auction of the century.

 

David and his wife Penny were extremely active art enthusiasts. In 1994, the Museum of Modern Art used the couple’s lavish collection as the subject of one of their exhibitions. The Rockefeller’s had a strong relationship with MoMA. Thus, earnings from the auction will go to the museum, along with other philanthropic organizations. As one of the first members of “The Giving Pledge”, Rockefeller generously promised to donate more than half of his worth upon his passing. David Rockefeller Jr., has publicly stated his family’s willingness to fulfill his father’s wishes by contributing the auction earnings to charity.

 

The Rockefeller’s personal art collection has an estimated 15,000 pieces. Christie’s has received about 2,000 works of art from the compilation. With selections from the Impressionist, post-Impressionist and modern eras, the auction will earn around $500 million or more. Experts are already calling it the art auction of this and last century. In 2009, the art collection of Yves Saint Laurent auctioned at a record-breaking $484 million. It seems as though the Rockefellers are more than likely to steal this title. Prior to the auction in the spring of next year, the collection will travel around America, Europe, and Asia. None of the items for auction have been revealed and it is likely that they will remain private until the tour.

 

It seems as though the generous and philanthropic nature of David and Peggy Rockefeller will live on. As they lived their lives full of compassion and selflessness, so will their legacy. For those fortunate enough to buy a piece from this collection, they will own a legendary work of art with a great sentimental history.

 

 

How to Collect Art That is Meaningful to You

man looking at art

 

While navigating the art collecting sphere can be a daunting and sometimes a burdensome process, it is important to not lose sight of the specific reasons you are collecting these pieces. The nature of art collecting is very much grounded in passion and it is therefore essential to keep in mind that in fact scouting pieces that you are drawn to, have a particular interest in, and which you are able to create a good sized collection are all vital signs to move forward.

 

Purchase what you like

A big part of art collecting can entail purchasing art that is on the rise or is deemed by critics to appreciate in value exponentially in the coming years. The best course of action is to invest in art that you have a connection to and genuinely like. Some companies or services specialize in a model that appraises art based on artist, genre, date range, content, materials, size, coloration, style, etc. Be sure to take a look at the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (aka the IRS appraisal) for more information.

 

Research first

The internet can definitely be too overwhelming when deciding what kind of art collection to start, so visiting art galleries, connecting with individuals who work at museums and exploring different art vis-a-vis is the best way to narrow this down. Speaking with professionals in person can help you become involved in a market that has a high-cost barrier to entry (which can be very intimidating to the first time art collector).

 

Putting in the time

Above everything else, remember that crafting a successful art collection is a lengthy process. If you want your collection to have a specific focus, it makes more sense to purchase one or two more valuable pieces per year–to pursue quality rather than quantity.

5 Essential Tips to Plan Your First Art Collection

5 Essential Tips to Plan Your First Art Collection

Art collecting is more than obtaining something valuable. It is about having a collection that others want to see. A good collection tells others about the art that they wouldn’t be able to determine simply by seeing the pieces alone. There are a few keys to planning your first collection.

Establish your tastes

The first step is to determine which pieces appeal to you. When you collect simply on what interests others it’s hard to make a statement with your collection. Forbes recommends touring galleries and other collections. Spend time at auctions and with other collectors before making a purchase. This will give you an opportunity to determine what interests you. Ultimately you are the one who will own the collection. It doesn’t matter if everyone shares your opinions. Your collection allows you to express your unique tastes.

Form a Cohesive Collection

Once you know what you like it’s important to know why you like it. According to ArtBusiness.com the best collections aren’t simply randomly selected pieces, but have something that ties them together. The collection then becomes a work of art in and of itself. When you know why you like a particular piece it makes it easier to select similar pieces. If you select simply based on the interests of others you may find that it is difficult to create your collection.

Create a Budget

Once you have an idea of what interests you it’s important to set a budget. How much are you planning to spend on your collection right now? How many pieces do you want to start with? These are important questions to consider and will help you determine your budget per piece as well. Art collecting can be an expensive hobby and if you spend your entire budget on one piece it may be a while before you are able to add to your collection. In addition to purchasing the piece itself you also need to consider the cost of insuring, obtaining, and displaying it.

Document Everything

Proper storage and documentation is an important key to planning your first collection. You will need to have a filing system in place to keep track of all of your purchases before you start. This paper trail is the key to establishing the authenticity of the pieces you purchase. Careful documentation preserves the value of your collection and is important not only for your own interests, but for insurance purposes as well.

Pick Your First Piece

The first piece in your collection is the building block upon which you will select your other pieces. It is essentially the first step in starting your collection. By this point you should already have a well-defined idea of what your particular tastes are. This piece should fit with the theme that you have determined for your collection. It is okay to spend more on this piece than the others as long as you don’t go over budget and are still able to purchase the remaining pieces for your collection.